Dana Perino
Assistant to the President and Press Secretary

January 15

Joshua Bolten
White House Chief of Staff

January 16

George W. Bush
President of the United States

Ask the White House

George W. Bush

President of the United States

January 16, 2008

George W. Bush
It's been a long trip and a successful trip. I had a chance to advance three major themes: first, that the United States is committed to helping Israel and the Palestinians achieve peace. Second, that in order for there to be peace, it's important for nations in the neighborhood to support both the Palestinians and the Israelis. And finally, I renewed our strong commitment to the security of the Gulf countries.

David, from Bethesda, MD writes: Thank you for taking questions, Mr. President. I followed your trip via
WH.gov and the Trip Notes blog. Given that brokering peace in the Middle
East has been the goal of many U.S. presidents, what makes you think
that
your efforts will yield different results? Also, in your opinion, what
was
the highlight of your trip?

George W. BushDear David, there is no question that peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis is a difficult task. And you're right, many Presidents have tried, but have not achieved the desired results. The reason I believe we have a chance to succeed this time is for the following reasons: First, the leaders of Israel and the Palestinians -- Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas -- are committed to a two-state solution, two democracies living side by side in peace. This is the first time that leaders of both sides are committed to the same goal. They do so because it's in Israel's security interests and it's in the interests of the Palestinian people to have a state of their own.

Secondly, nations in the neighborhood are committed to the process. This is important because it boosts confidence necessary so both sides can make the hard decisions. Thirdly, the average citizens are tired of violence and want something better.

My trip had many highlights: the meetings in Ramallah and Jerusalem; going to holy sites; the trip to the Gulf region; having dinner in the desert in Abu Dhabi with the Crown Prince; traveling to Dubai; seeing the sword dance in Bahrain; meeting with women activists in Kuwait; spending the night on His Majesty the King of Saudi Arabia's farm; and having a wonderful lunch in Sharm el-Sheikh. Thank you for sending in a question.

Clay, from Los Angeles, CA
writes: Dear Mr. President,In your opinion, what strategy can the United States
of
America pursue in order to maintain close ties with the Middle East to
promote peace, liberty, and democracy, while maintaining a strong
foothold on the fight against terror?

In deep gratitude for your service to this great nation,

Clay
Los Angeles, CA

George W. BushDear Clay, promoting liberty in the Middle East will create a strong foothold against extremists. We are engaged in an idealistic struggle. The extremists embrace an ideology based upon hate and intolerance, as opposed to an ideology based on liberty, which promotes hope and tolerance and respect. The advance of freedom and justice will marginalize the extremists. As we promote liberty we can also make it clear to our friends and allies that it's in their interests to fight off the extremists who would like to disrupt their societies and, in some cases, topple their governments. Thank you for your question.

Gioia, from California writes: Mr. President,
A silly question, but who picks your attire for all the important events
you
attend? Love your ties

George W. BushDear Gioia, I pick my own suits and my own ties. Thank you for the compliment about the ties, and thank you for your question.

Dan, from Bethpage, NY
writes: Mr. President,I applaud your trip to the Middle East and yearn for peace
as
much as you do. In order to understand the people of the Middle East can
you
tell us what similarities you have noticed between the people of the
United
States and the People of the Middle East Countries?

George W. BushDear Dan, perhaps the greatest similarity between peoples in the United States and the Middle East is the desire for people to live in peace. I like to remind our fellow citizens that a Muslim mom wants the same thing that an American mom wants -- that is for her child to grow up in a hopeful, peaceful world. That desire for security and peace provides the basis for our strategy with the nations in the Middle East to defeat extremists and terrorists who use murder as a weapon to achieve their political objectives. Thank you for your question.

Max, from Freeport, ME
writes: Dear President Bush,I would like to know why the government doesnt
invest
in research to try to create some kind of big battery that would replace
the
use of oil. That battery would pollute significantly less and would get
rid
of our dependency to Middle Eastern oil. In such a case, energy costs
wouldn't vary subsequently to geopolitical issues. Moreover, we wouldnt
have to constantly ask for the OPEC to lower its prices. It would also
have a
very positive effect on our economy.

Thank you for taking time to read this message and may God bless
America

George W. BushDear Max, our government is spending money on battery technologies that would enable automobiles to drive the first 20 to 40 miles using electricity. This, coupled with ethanol, is the main thrust of our initiative to become less dependent on oil. I appreciate you for sending in your question.

Patrick, from California writes: Mr. President, During your tour of the ruins of Capernaum, on the shore
of
the Sea of Galilee, could you describe any thoughts of personal
reflection.

thank you for your service to our country.

George W. BushDear Patrick, our trip to the Sea of Galilee was magnificent. I had the opportunity at the Church of the Beatitudes, which sits at a high point, to gaze out on the Sea of Galilee. As I reflected on the view, at that moment I was reminded of the New Testament story of the calm in the rough seas, which then reminded me of the power of prayer to bring calm in a person's life. Thank you for your question.

LeRoy, from Beirut, Lebanon
writes: Dear Mr. President, Lebanon seems conspicuously absent from your
itinerary this week. Doubtless, security concerns had something to do
with this, but what can you say to assure us that Lebanon is still on
the
American agenda? What will friendlier U.S. ties with the Gulf,
especially
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, mean for Lebanon? Both the US and France
seem
eager to broker a variety of business deals with the Gulf states
apparently
there is even a French plan to build a nuclear power plant for these
oil-rich
states but, when will Lebanon see any substantial foreign direct
investment from its western allies?

Best regards,
LeRoy

George W. BushLet me assure you I am committed to democracy in Lebanon. Syria, however, continues to try to subvert the outcome of the Lebanese political process from the outside. We support the Siniora government and the efforts of the March 14th group to come together to elect a President, pursuant to their constitution. I did not want to distract from the delicate political process that is now moving forward, and therefore on my trip I spent time with the leaders of the Middle East, strategizing on how best to help the Lebanese solve their problem of Syrian involvement and secure their own democracy.

As for the U.S. doing business in the Gulf states, I support open and fair trade and investment. I also understand why the Gulf states would want to develop civilian nuclear power, it is a much more cost effective way to desalinate the water. After all, water is a precious commodity for these countries. Thanks for your question.

George W. Bush
Thank you for your questions. It's been my honor to answer some of them. No question we've had a great trip -- but it's also no question I'm happy to get home. I'm looking forward to seeing Laura and Barney and Beazley and the Kitty. After all, there's no better place to lay your head than in your own bed with people you love.